Research study into access to recycled water: impediments to recycled water investment

Abstract

A report by the Australian Academy of Technical Sciences and Energy (AATSE), Water Recycling in Australia (2003-04), and research by CSIRO, Exploring the Institutional Impediments to Conservation and Water Reuse (2004), indicated that a lack of a clear access/entitlement system for recycled water could be impeding investment in recycled water schemes. To test this theory and to identify and gauge the importance of other potential impediments, ACIL Tasman was commissioned by all Australian governments to undertake a literature review and a two-stage survey of key stakeholders in the water supply and sewerage service industry in Australia.

The focus of the study was primarily to provide information to governments to assist in their development of policies to encourage the greater use of recycled water. The research paper should also assist stakeholders from the water industry to identify the importance of particular impediments when evaluating the viability of new schemes and develop approaches to overcoming them.

In summary, the results of this research indicate that the key perceived impediments to investment in recycled water schemes are: the absolute and relative cost of recycled water, the lack of financial incentives for developing recycled water schemes and complexity in project implementation. Other significant impediments include: unclear liability (and stakeholder responsibility) and public perceptions of health risks in the use of recycled water. It is interesting to note that only a minority across all stakeholder groups saw the issue of access/entitlement to water as a major impediment, however, this minority was adamant about the importance of this issue.

Keywords:

• Recycled water
• access/entitlement
• community perception
• stakeholder survey
• financial impediments
• water policy

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael R Martin

Michael Martin is a Senior Policy Adviser with the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foresty, Michael’s role is to support the sustainable use of Australia’s resources and increase the productivity of agriculture in particular. His specific interests are to encourage the use of recycled water by identifying impediments to recycled water treatment and use and analyzing and promoting policy options to address these impediments.

James Hill

James Hill has had several years experience in the water and wastewater industry. He currently works as a Policy Adviser with the Natural Resource Management Division of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Department provides guidance on many issues associated with river management through involvement in National Water Policy, Murray Darling Basin policies and programmes, the National Water Quality Management Strategy, water research and water economic policies. James has a keen interest in water quality and water recycling and through the Department has worked on a diverse range of issues related to inland water quality, national guidelines for water quality and institutional reform to water utilities.

He has a strong background in water resource management issues and a technical background in irrigation science. Working for Sydney Water’s BioSoil program, James spent a number of years facilitating the beneficial land application of sewage products. Later employment as a fertiliser agronomist with Paton Fertilisers Pty Ltd built upon his understanding of the interactions between water and soil nutrients. Working as a researcher with the University of Sydney and later as a Project Officer with FullStop^TM, CSIRO Land and Water, James has been at the cutting edge of development and implementation of irrigation and soil moisture monitoring equipment and instrumentation. He previously worked as an irrigation officer on irrigated cotton in Moree and an irrigated rice property in Jerilderie.